, 1887-01-22
TALE OF THE R0SABEL.

1t was very annoying to ind myself
standing face to face with Royal Storm ~
the Passengers Of the Rosabel came on deck
To get a parting view OF the city In the soft
December evening. There was no help fOI
it. The boat had slipped from the dockat
the foot of Canal street and was half way
along the crescent shaped bank to Carroll
ton when we met. He gave n look Of AS
great surprise as mine, bowed slightly for
the first time in his life and passed down
the deck.
| Ind almost made up my mind that the
situation could be gracefully endured,
when the captain assigned our places at
the table, and we two were again brought
Wis n Wis for an eight-day journey. Yet
neither was willing to ask for a change
nor to give n reason for wishing one.
As our fellow passengers lapsed into
friendly chit and began to court our con
versation it grew worse and worse For
instance. Mrs. Farnham, the large lady
who seemed To take US all in charge, re
marks. Miss Castle, didn't yon say that
our home is In Florida
| answer YES
why, isn't that where you live also,
Mr.. Storm"
Roynl answers, gravely, YES, / live
there also
"Ah. | See. You are chapcroning your
little friend for this long journey. sus
pectcd rs much, for all you nrc SO shy
about ii, But you are quite right to be so
prudent, my dear, ~ and she looks
roguishly ut me, while my face grows hot,
and Royal looked sorcly perplexed.
We do not speak, we cannot, the gospel
II eternal hate was born in us, and nurs
tured with our early lessons.
There was never yet II Castle who did
not lonthe the name of Storm, since that
long time ago when our grandfather. or
still reInoter ancestors, INDUCED In a
fatal quarrel, and left the dark inherit
nnce of a feud to their descendants. And
both families had dwindled to n few repre-
sentatiyes, yet, through all our school
days together, and our chance meetings in
society aud church, Royal and | had pr.
served the ancient u~ntagonism. But here,
| knew not how TO De loyal to the family
tradition. We were going on the same
journey-he to attend n medical college, /
to IL celebrated physician for treatment
for the spinal trouble which threatened
soon to make me entirely helpless
We both Joined in the general CONVERSE
ton Mt table SO TINT II was moi noticed
that we never spoke directly to each other,
though we could not resist the temptation
RI M OttiiSlblll ltMtl buTtflNii 1T fAtH
others expense.
Ny acquaintance were limited To II few
ladies' and their husbands, for I was very
shy upon this first flight from my secluded
home, and a young girl who cannot
dance, ilirt nor promenade IN the moonlit
guards ia not apt to be Il belle.
one morning everybody had gone On
deck To see some town TINT we were pass
ing, and ] was left alone in the deserted
saloon. when Royal walked slowly down
the length Of the room. then turned ant.
cimc hack to the couch where | lay nnt
bowed siifly Il hope, Miss Castle. that
you know how strong II claim upon mo
your illness and loneliness give you. Nou
must ndi hesitate TO call upon me Tor an,
service. Can | do anything for you now
Nothing, thank you, - | answer. taken
hy surprise. "Oh. yes, | should like II
drink Of water Thanks
| am touched by this show Of chivalry
from my adversary, and recognize that he
IL n true gentleman. anyhow. After this
he comes To me regularly and executes my
small commissions, although we still do
not speak at table nor exchange uuneccs-
sary words. The fourth day passes. that
last day which every passenger upon the
i'll -fated Iiosahcl must now remember with
kcenest interest, and all retire To their
staterooms Us usual II Is considerably
past midnight when the shock Of the col
lision almost filings Us up from our berth-,
and the widest confusion ensues After
the first wondering thought, | realize that
some terrible calamity has occurred, and
soon the terrified shricks ~ my fellow pas
sengrrs tell in incohercnt words that the
boat IS doomed. ! scream wildly once or
twice; then. a- my voice returns from the
HuFFRN xyulla 1f the AfaTarnnnn lp,Nt
that 1t is useless. | cannot help myself
| could rot walk the length of the boat
without assistance.
The stewurdess, whose care | had hired.
and the friends who had volunteered Mt
tcntions would not think Of me now. |
sink into the calm uf utter despair. | have
not even turned Ia my berth. The last few
weeks have madc me familiar with the
thought Of death, but not such death rs
this. All, II | could only drown. How |
dreaded the cruel flames, and could smell
them already Might ! not mercifully be
spared such agony as | had read of Then
Ia the hope OF drowning and being found
| began. with weak, uncertain hands, to
dress myself, and was coon arrayed In my
travelling suit As | did SO the shrieks and
groans grew louder, the hurrying feet
more desperate Something struck my
door ana then surely my name mingles in
the general confusion. Miss Castle Byrd
For heavens sake open the door The
boat is on frci Quick Arc you awake
Take care of yourself. Mr.. Storm never
mind Iuc'N | answered. with a keen sense
of lcroisin equal to his.
II You are speaking | cam hear YOU
In one second | viii break in the door "
Il am not ready | shrek.
Ready Great heavens Wrap your
self In a blanket - and the door was shaker
Violently.
"Oh, | am dressed, but l can't Ind
You must open this door 7 can't wait
for an ak"
As soon ns | find'-
Never mind Valnnblcsi Your life l.,
all. Open this door, | command YOU"
Its more than that, it's my-stockin- -"
! shrek.
There is IA cNpletivc that / cannot
write, ami the light door H. broken ia with
tue marble slab Of a table am caught
Il two strong arms dragged from ns
t,Om. carried through heat aud sitting
Thousands Sny 80.